Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-12


A gentleman who has spent n number OF
years in The South seas as agent for German
mercantile house recently narrated the fol-
lowing account of his residence in the New
Britain group TO q reporter. The islands in
question are out of the beaten track, and be-
yond visits Of war ships and small trading
and missionary vessels, but little is known
to the general public regarding the habits and
customs of the natives on the group.
an 1856" said our informant, there were
two communities-one on the island of Ma
tupi, in Blanche bay, the headquarters of the
Hamburg trading firm of Robertson g. Ilerns-
helm, and the missionaries who live at n sta
ton on Duke of York island, situated on the
channel between New Britain and New Ire
land. Matupi, our head station, is very
healthy and fever is unknown. Tropical
vegetation is very luxuriant and varied.
Gigantic trees are covered with ferns, orchids,
huge moses and parasitic growths of all de
scriptions. The mass of vegetation is so thick
and matted that it requires axwork to cst a
roadway through the jungle. Birds Of gor-
geous hue fit about amid the flowers and
leaves, scarcely distinguishable to an I'M
practiced eye, while insects and butterflies
vie in size and coloring with the humming
bird.
"Our trade consists in purchasing copra,
dried cocoanut, hawbsbill turtle shell, beche
de mer and few shark fips. We give in ex
change tobacco principally, but prints and
cotton goods powder and knives are also ar
ticles of barter. The natives are good agri-
| culturists. In every little fissure Of the
rocks and on hilsides are patches of sugar
cane and beds of yams and sweet potatoes.
Taro is also growing, and the plant requires
considerable irrigation, supplied by means of
artificial channels and dams, whereby the
mountain streams are conducted to the
| fields"
INHABITANTS ON THE ISLANDS.
allow many inhabitants are there on the
islands?'
"Well, roughly speaking, I should state
about $4,000 souls. Since the German war
ships have visited us, q number of villages on
the west side of New Britain have been dis
| covered, and new trading stations will be
located. Cocoanut trees are very abundant,
and wherever dense groves were seen from
| the vessels deck smoke was visible rising
| from them, indicating the presence of natives.
| About the island of New Hanover which lies
a little to tho north of the group, is almost a
| terra incognita. The natives are very hos
tile and have killed and eaten several white
men. They resist any attempt to re-estab-
| fish trading posts. So far as / have seen from
schooner's deck, the land on New Hanover
is rich sol-wide spreading plains covered
| with wild sugar cane and cocoanut trees
The mountains seem to be in the interior, as
the slopes gradually come toward the coast
and the dense masses of vapor cluster over
the tops, especially in the rainy season.
"The native, as n rule, does not like to be
questioned. He credits white man with
possessing universal knowledge, and when
asked about an observance or ceremony usu-
ally returns evasive replies. In New Britain
there are customs that to talk about is ia
booed and some words are not permitted 20
be spoken. My acquaintance with these peo-
pie and observations are, therefore, the only
guides to go by. The parents betroth their
children at early ages. The boy has to work
and pay for his wife in copra, cocoanuts or
trading tools. As the price fixed is generally
high, the boy becomes grown man before it
is finally paid. When the stipulated amount
is liquidated the husband builds a small
house in the brush at some distance from his
village. He then persuadeS bis fiancee to
elope with him, but with the knowledge OF
her parents. The discovery of the abduction,
is then made, the girls father is Indignant
and the blidegroom's father comes to Offer
sympathy and vows vengeance against his
son for disgracing him. Then all tie rela-
tives on either side are called in and q
feast takes place. The meal being ended
the men arm themselves and put on their
war paint, starting out as if in search of q
foe They know exactly whore the house is
and, OF course, find it cmrty. As the exped
ton would he shOrn Of its i:up:e>siveness i!
some diaplay were not made, the house i,
burned and the rarity returns to the vi,in':c
hon. &c ht11
the young couple are to BE found in the vii
lage, and the remainder of the purchase being
paid, married life is entered into without
further inconvenience.
CURIOUS CUSTOM
"The custom prevails that man pays Off q
deceased brothers obligation in the matter OF
making good any contract for payment,
entered into for girl. She becomes after
liquidation of the contract, part of lii
household. When the fatherd dies the childrcr
are taken to the mothers village for support
but the widow IS never allowed to marry
again. In these islands curious custom pre-
walls which might be copied by civilized
nations to advantage. A man must not SPEAK
to his mother-in-aw. Not only is speech for
hidden to this relative, but she must be avoid
ed; if by chance the lady is met the son-in
law must hide himself or cover his face
Suicide Of both parties is the outcome if the
rule is broken. One of the English mission
aries tried to get at the natives idea of al
oath, and he found that the most solemn as
severation among them was: If am not tell
ing the truth hope may touch the hand Of
my mother-in.law. Numerous idols carved
out of a white, chalk like stone are found in
the group, but the natives say they are very
old, and seem TO be in dread lest white mar
touches or looks at one. They are very rude
conceptions, and are generally found in the
vicinity Of gsaves
although cannibalism is reported by mis-
sionaries to have died out among the islands
in the South seas, it is far more common thar
generally imagined. In New Ireland saw
big fight between two villages, and after the
battle the bodies Of those who had fallen
were eaten The bodies, after being sd pded
in hot water, are scraped with bamboo knife
by old women. An old man cuts up the
bodies, taking care to keep the thigh and
! shin bones which ara used for spearheads